Church

A church is a building designed for Christian worship and congregational gatherings. It is used for communal prayer, reading of scripture, and religious ceremonies such as baptism and marriage. The term used in European languages (church, église, chiesa) derives from Greek and has two meanings: the physical building and the community of believers.

Churches vary in size and rank. They range from small structures in villages to large edifices in cities. Special ranks include the cathedral, which is the church where the head of a regional Christian denomination, called a bishop, presides, and the basilica, an honorary title conferred by the Catholic Church.

Brief history

In the early centuries, Christians gathered in private houses. When the faith was openly accepted by the Roman Empire in the fourth century, large buildings were constructed for the congregation. The early design drew on the pattern of the Roman basilica: an elongated hall with columns and a rounded section where the altar stood.

Layout and structure

Most churches have a large hall where people sit (the nave), a raised area where the altar is located, and a main entrance. Many include a bell tower or spire. Notable architectural styles include Romanesque, characterized by heavy arches; Gothic, with tall pointed arches and coloured windows; and modern structures made of concrete and steel.

Denominational differences

Different branches of Christianity vary in their interior decoration. Orthodox churches use religious images (icons) and a dividing screen called an iconostasis. Catholic churches have an altar and statues. Some Protestant groups favour plain interiors with few images, emphasizing the pulpit for preaching.